Method behind the timing

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Of all the conversations Tiger Woods’ first public Q&A have sparked, the fallout regarding the timing of the world No. 1’s Sunday sit down is the most curious.

Unlike Woods’ press event during the third round of last month’s Accenture Match Play Championship, a scheduling snafu that drew criticism from players and fans, the timing of his interview with Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman was carefully scheduled to avoid overshadowing the final round of the Transitions Championship.

“Mark (Steinberg, Woods’ agent) was adamant that we not even promote (the interview) until 6:30 (p.m.),” said Tom Stathakes, Golf Channel senior vice president of programming, production and operations.

Because of a rain delay that pushed back the final round at the Transitions Championship the event ran long and Jim Furyk’s final putt dropped at about the same time Golf Channel and ESPN began airing the interviews at 7:30 p.m. (ET).

The schedule wasn’t perfect, but that wasn’t Woods’ fault.

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Hoggard, a senior writer, covers the PGA Tour and appears on Golf Central and Morning Drive.